by Ken Rosenthal

The Reds offered Lofton a minor-league contract, but he wanted a major-league deal. The Rays offered him a major-league deal for more than $1 million, but Lofton wanted a salary more in line with some of his peers. Maybe he should just sign somewhere and prove himself again, but in Lofton's view, he has been there, done that, too many times throughout his 17-year career.

"From what I've done in the past, it should warrant me getting a real offer, a real understanding about what I've done on the field," Lofton, who turns 41 on May 31, said in a telephone interview. "I feel like I went out last year and did what I was supposed to do to show people that even though I'm at a certain age, I can still get the job done. Do people respect what I do on the field? It seems like maybe not."

As recently as last off-season, when the Rangers signed him to a one-year, $6 million, free-agent contract, Lofton had little problem finding a well-paying job. But this winter, the market for second-tier free agents turned harsh. Outfielders Trot Nixon, Shannon Stewart and Corey Patterson were among the veterans who accepted minor-league deals. Outfielder Shawn Green retired, and outfielder Reggie Sanders and catcher Mike Piazza seem likely to follow.

Lofton is older than all of those players. He also is more productive. Last season, he batted a combined .296 with a .367 on-base percentage, .414 slugging percentage and 23 steals in 30 attempts for the Rangers and Indians. His biggest contributions for the Indians came during their Division Series triumph over the Yankees, when he went 6-for-16 with four RBIs.

"I'm a leadoff hitter, a guy who gets on base, gives the team what it needs out on the field," Lofton said. "I'm not going to go out and make stupid rookie mistakes. When it comes crunch time, I want to be on the field. In the ninth inning, I'm the guy who wants to be at the plate.

"I felt like with Cleveland, I helped them get where they did last year. I thought I was a big part of it. If someone says that I wasn't a big part of that, maybe I'm seeing things on a different level. Maybe I'm seeing them wrong."

Or, maybe teams just see Lofton differently than he sees himself. Lofton competes hard, plays hurt and maintains a strong feel for the strike zone, baseball people say. However, the athleticism that helped make him a six-time All-Star in the 1990s is fading. His power, stolen-base ability and defense are in decline.

Then again, Lofton had nearly the same on-base/slugging percentage last season as Cliff Floyd (who signed a one-year, $3 million free-agent contract with the Rays), Brad Wilkerson (who received the same terms from the Mariners) and even Geoff Jenkins (who signed a two-year, $13 million deal with the Phillies).

All three of those players, like Lofton, are left-handed hitters; Wilkerson and Jenkins will play right field for their new clubs, while Floyd will mostly be a DH. Lofton lacks a right fielder's arm, but the Rays envisioned him providing late-inning defense at the position and backing up B.J. Upton in center.

Few fans will sympathize with Lofton for turning down more than $1 million, but players measure themselves by what they earn relative to each other. Lofton wasn't named in the Mitchell Report and hasn't tested positive for banned substances. He doesn't carry the baggage of Barry Bonds, who remains unsigned while facing federal charges of perjury and obstruction of justice — or even of Mike Cameron, who received a one-year, $7 million deal from the Brewers even though he was suspended for the first 25 games after testing positive for a banned stimulant. Lofton was in the Brewers' mix — the team actually preferred a left-handed hitter — but Cameron, 35, offers better defense and more power.

"The only thing I can look at is my own situation," Lofton said.

"Not too many guys who hit .290 don't have a job. I've seen guys hitting .250 get a lot of money. I've seen guys hitting .220 get a lot of money. But a guy who hit .290 can't get a real offer like a guy who hit .250? I don't understand it.

"Honestly, I think they want to use age as the reason. I take care of myself. I work out. I don't drink, I don't smoke, I don't do drugs, nothing. I've always told myself, 'If I take care of my body, it will take care of me.' It has done that. I felt like I was 25 last year. I always say that on the field, age ain't nothing but a number."

Age might not be Lofton's only obstacle; he had strained relationships with Braves manager Bobby Cox and former Yankees manager Joe Torre in previous stops. Both of those managers' current teams found new center fielders in the off-season without pursuing Lofton. The Braves traded for the oft-injured Mark Kotsay. The Dodgers, seeking a major offensive and defensive upgrade, signed Andruw Jones.

Still, it's not as if Lofton is perceived as some kind of malcontent. He drew praise for his clubhouse presence with the Indians last season. And even if Cox and Torre don't want him, they represent only two of the 30 clubs.

The Cubs, Reds, Cardinals and White Sox are among the teams unsettled in the leadoff spot, though the Cubs' goal is to acquire Orioles second baseman Brian Roberts and a right-handed hitting center fielder. The Rays, Mets, Padres, A's and Twins are either looking for a veteran outfielder or could use one.

"Every time a team picked me up for the stretch run, I've been there, done what I had to do," said Lofton, who has appeared in 11 of the past 13 postseasons, but never played for a World Series champion. "That's not just me talking. It's not like it's made up. It's out there."

Yet, he remains a free agent, waiting for the right fit. Lofton says he is following his usual off-season routine in Los Angeles, running, throwing and hitting to prepare for another season. He says he can be ready to play in two weeks, but knows his time is running short.

"A lot of my friends in the game are calling me asking, 'What's going on?'" Lofton said. "But if people don't want me, there's nothing I can do about that. If you want to do something and nobody wants you, your hands are tied.

"I can't play on my own team."